ANSWERS: 1
  • Early exploration was reported in 1804 by Lewis and Clark as they journeyed across the west discovering the beautiful Missouri River. Nebraska City was the original site of Old Fort Kearny, a military post used by the government in 1846. It was abandoned several years later and relocated to central Nebraska, now south of present day Kearney, Nebraska. Shortly after the post was vacated, John Boulware developed an important river-crossing and ferry service from Iowa across to present day Nebraska City. He and his father grew their business and built a ferry house, the first residence in Nebraska City in 1852 or 1853. In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed legal settlement in the regional area. Three townships were incorporated by settlers: Nebraska City and Kearney City were incorporated in 1855, and South Nebraska City was incorporated in 1856. On December 31, 1857, these three town sites along with Prairie City joined, incorporating as present day Nebraska City. In the mid 1800’s, steamboats were the vitalizing force behind Nebraska City’s growth in bringing commerce, people and freight to the west. In the spring of 1858 Russell, Majors and Waddell started freighting from Nebraska City on a government contract to transport all provisions for all western forts. The supplies were brought up the Missouri River by steamboat and then taken out by wagon train. Nebraska City's favorable position and good trail made it an important link to the west. Since that beginning, the city was established as a regional transportation, economic, and agriculture hub for the three state area. Additional forms of transportation were important including the steam wagon and the first locomotive engine of the Midland Pacific. J. Sterling Morton came to Nebraska City in 1855 to edit the Nebraska City News. He and his wife Caroline were originally from Michigan and they were lover’s of nature. Morton served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland’s administration and he was instrumental in establishing the annual tree planting day, Arbor Day in 1872. Governor Robert Furnas issued the first Arbor Day Proclamation on March 31, 1874. The holiday is celebrated around the world. Adopted in 1912, Nebraska City is the only city in the State operating under a Commission form of government. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_City%2C_Nebraska

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